Fires: 50 euros per m2... Failure to comply with brush clearing will cost homeowners more

In some areas, not pruning your garden can now cost you dearly. MEPs voted on Tuesday to increase fines for owners of plots in areas at risk of fire who have failed to comply with legal obligations to clear brush, despite opposition calling for more prevention. "We must leave nothing to chance, and let it be known how crucial they are," insisted Dominique Faure, the minister in charge of local authorities, present to the Assembly for the examination of a bill to limit the risk of fire, already adopted at first reading unanimously in the Senate.

The minister supported the increase in fines, from 30 to 50 euros per square meter subject to an obligation to clear brush to limit the spread of fires, in territories classified as at risk and departments where woods and forests are particularly exposed.

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"There are already criminal and financial sanctions in the texts (...) It is better to dialogue rather than go through the sanction, "pleaded the deputy LFI Catherine Couturier, calling not to increase the bills of "small owners". "The issue is really information. A number of small owners do not know this legal obligation, "abounded the LR Thibault Bazin.

"This is a legal obligation that must be implemented for the safety of all," said Renaissance rapporteur Sophie Panonacle, before the article was adopted by a show of hands.

Drone surveillance rejected

MEPs also adopted an article to limit the risks around the Seveso sites (which contain a certain amount of hazardous materials). When these sites are located less than 200 m from woods or forests in territories at risk of fire or departments where woods and forests are particularly exposed, they would be obliged to clear brush over a distance of 100 m instead of 50. The distance may even be increased to 200 m by decision of the prefect.

On the other hand, and against the advice of the government and the rapporteur, MEPs rejected by two votes the possibility of using drones to monitor the implementation of legal obligations to clear brush. LFI, ecologist and socialist elected representatives notably opposed it. MPs also ruled out reinstating a tax credit for homeowners who had incurred costs to meet their brush clearing obligations, a proposal by the RN.